Fremantle Hospital and Health Service Pathology Department Medical Officers Manual Code PCM-E1, PCM-E3

Blood Collection Tube Size and Colour Guide

VACUTAINER CAT, Red, 10 mL Plain tube with clot activator. No anticoagulant. Used for some research samples. VACUTAINER SST II, Gold, 3.5 mL Serum separation tube (clot activator no anticoag). For: Immunoglobulins, C3, C4, Haptoglobin, Caeruloplasmin, Alpha 1 antitrypsin, Rheumatoid factor, QEP & Immunofixation, Cryoglobulins, Serum folate, NSE, and rostenedione, aldosterone, lithium, ionised calcium, vitamins A, E, B6 and B12 VACUTAINER SST II, Gold,, 5 mL Serum separation tube (clot activator no anticoagulant). For: All serology. VACUTAINER Dark Blue, 6.0mL Serum For: Trace elements only, including zinc and aluminium VACUTAINER 9NC, Light Blue, 2.7 mL Tri-Sodium Citrate solution. For: Coagulation tests only. VACUTAINER Lithium Heparin LH PST II, Pale Green, 3 mL Plasma separation tube . For: Routine and urgent Biochemistry except for tests listed above for SS II Gold, 3.5mL. ACUTAINER Sodium Heparin, Dark Green, 4mL and 6.0mL. Note Pink insert on the Dark Green cap For: MPLA studies, Micro Array, Fragile X, Karyotype

VACUTAINER ESR, Black, 1.8 mL Sodium Citrate ESR. For: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. VACUETTE ACD-B, Yellow, 9 mL ACD-B (Acid Citrate Dextrose-B). For: Immunology testing only eg HLA typing VACUTAINER K2E, Purple, 3 mL Whole blood EDTA (K 2 EDTA 5.4 mg). For: Full blood count and haematology screen. For B cell and T cell subsets - 2 tubes required.
First Issued 20 Jun 2002 Revisions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 This version 4 Jan 2011 Revision Due 5 Dec 2012 Compiled by Katherine Smith,Pathology Quality Coordinator Fremantle; Endorsed by Elaine Toogood, Phlebotomy Coordinator; Title Blood collection tube size and colour guide Page 1 of 2

Fremantle Hospital and Health Service Pathology Department Medical Officers Manual Code PCM-E1, PCM-E3

VACUTAINER K2E, Pink, 6 mL Whole blood EDTA (K 2 EDTA 10.8 mg). For :Group and Hold, and cross matching VACUTAINER K2E, Purple, 9 mL Whole blood EDTA (K 2 EDTA 18mg). For: PCR studies VACUTAINER K2E Pearl Top For: PTH only VACUTAINER FX, Grey, 2 mL Sodium Fluoride/Potassium oxalate. or: Glucose only. PLEASE NOTE: **The tubes listed above are used at PathWest, Fremantle Hospital. PathWest Laboratories at other sites may use tubes that are not on this list. **For the most up-to-date version of this document, please access the intranet. We do not recommend keeping printed copies as they can be superseded.**

For Paediatric collections only - Becton Dickinson Microtainer tubes are available: The Clear and Amber Serum Separator tubes are equivalent to the 3.5 and 5.0 mL SST Gel tubes. (Use the amber tubes if Bilirubin is to be assayed). The Plasma Separator tube is equivalent to the 3.0 mL Heparin PST tube. The Tube with K2EDTA is equivalent to the 3.0 mL K2EDTA tube.

Haemolysis warning
Never inject blood into the tube through a needle from a syringe. Mix the blood with anticoagulants by inverting the tube gently several times. Do NOT shake. Do NOT top up one tube from another. When using the evacuated tube system, collect the EDTA tube last to prevent cross tube contamination. ALWAYS label the TUBES with the patient's Family name, Given name, Medical Record Number, Date of Birth and the collection date and time.

First Issued 20 Jun 2002 Revisions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 This version 4 Jan 2011 Revision Due 5 Dec 2012 Compiled by Katherine Smith,Pathology Quality Coordinator Fremantle; Endorsed by Elaine Toogood, Phlebotomy Coordinator; Title Blood collection tube size and colour guide Page 2 of 2